Check out our review of the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 tablet.
According to the latest rumor from mobile gossip site SamMobile, Samsung is planning to launch a series of new big-screen devices which don’t fit into its high-end Galaxy Note family, and will instead create a new range called the Galaxy Mega. Apparently, there are two models planned at this stage, one with a 5.8-inch screen and the other with a huge 6.3-inch display. The blog cites two model numbers for the devices: the GT-i9152 and the GT-i9200 respectively.
Samsung has traditionally used the GT-i model number for its high-spec Galaxy phones – the GT-i9500 Galaxy S4 and the GT-i9080 Galaxy Grand for example – while Note devices have a GT-N model number, such as the GT-N5100 on the new Galaxy Note 8.0 tablet. One can speculate that although they’ll share the same big-screen form factor, the Mega devices won’t be carrying the S-Pen stylus that differentiates Note hardware from other tablet/smartphone hybrids.
The number two at the end of the i9152 model number supposedly given to the 5.8-inch Galaxy Mega, should denote it has a dual-SIM configuration, so the standard model will probably end up being the i9150. A device with this model number popped up in a series of benchmark results earlier this year, and it used Android 4.1.2 and the screen – of unknown size – had a fairly ordinary 960 x 540 pixel resolution. Not bad when the display measures around 4-inches, but not great when it’s supposed to be 5.8-inches.
Variations on the i9200 model number have been used already – the Galaxy S2 LTE is known as the i9210 in some regions – however in March, it did appear on a Samsung support page listed under Mobile Devices/Tablets, along with a possible variant under the model number i9208. As for the Galaxy Mega name, we’re not convinced it’ll make it through to production, as it’s a bit too generic even for Samsung. It is however, better than the Fonblet codename previously associated with the 6.3-inch GT-i9200.
It’s all speculation at the moment, but there is at least evidence the model numbers exist, and we also know Samsung is a fan of covering all the bases when it comes to screen sizes. Plus, the Galaxy Grand already offers big screen fun at a competitive price, so a set of even larger tablet/smartphone hybrids isn’t all that difficult to believe. Additionally, should other rumors prove to be correct, the Galaxy Note 3 will be getting an increase in screen size to 5.9-inches this September, showing Samsung isn’t worried about, “going large.” As for the release of the Mega range, they’re both rumored to arrive in late May or early June; but for now, they remain distinctly unofficial.
